Marking device



Aug. 5, 1969 Filed March 1, 1967 w. A. BRASTAD 3,459,483

MARKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM A. BRASTAD ATTORNEY Aug. 5, 1969 w. A. BRASTAD MARKING DEVICEFiled March 1, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ORZ INVENTOR.

WILLIAM A. BRASTAD ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,459,483 MARKINGDEVICE William A. Brastad, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to GeneralMills, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 1, 1967, Ser. No.619,696 Int. Cl. B43k 23/02, /00 US. Cl. 401-131 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A marking device which includes a cylindrical barrel out ofwhich a sponge wick or nib projects, thereby forming a tip. The wick issaturated with a water soluble dye solution, and when the wick is in amoistened condition, the dye will leach out of it onto a surface againstwith the tip is pressed. A wedge-shaped plug is inserted within theopposite end of the barrel for inducing water to remain in the barrelwhen that end is dipped in a water source, thereby moistening the wick.

The present invention relates to a marking device, and more particularlyto an improved dye containing device which is usable for marking orcoloring purposes.

A variety of marking devices, coloring pens, and related implements areknown in the art for use as toys or play instruments, as well as for usein the home or at work for multifarious purposes. Ink marking pens withrelatively large tips for example, have in recent years, become quitepopular for use in instances where a permanent mark of fairly largedimensions is desired. The use of fountain pens, ball-point pens, or thelike, is ofttimes unsatisfactory for marking or coloring purposes,because these devices have a point which produces a mark which is toosmall of fine for many purposes.

According to the known prior art, marking devices of the type to whichthe present invention relates, include a barrel out of which a markingtip protrudes; tips of this type are often formed of an absorbentmaterial, such as felt. The tip is maintained in fluid communicationwith a reservoir containing marking ink, with the marking ink passing bycapillary action from the reservoir to the marking tip. A cover isgenerally provided for covering the tip during periods of non-use. Incertain other devices a fluid reservoir is not provided; in lieuthereof, an ink saturated felt wick or packing is provided which fillsthe barrel. A separate marking tip abuts against the wick and absorbsink from it, thus providing a marking device.

The known prior art devices have certain disadvantages. The markingfluids often used are quite volatile; therefore it is necessary to coverthe tip and reservoir when the device is not in use, in order to preventevaporation of the fluid. Furthermore, in many instances the markingfluid used is of a permanent type; consequently, the use of such devicesby small children as a coloring implement is not always advisable.Another disadvantage of available devices is that they are rather bulkyand cumbersome to use because of the necessity of providing a fairlylarge barrel to accommodate 'a reservoir of fluid, or a saturated wick;this factor is especially important if the device is to be used bychildren, because they might find such a device unwieldy and cumbersometo use.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a devicewhich can be used for marking or coloring purposes.

Another object is to provide a dye containing coloring instrument whichis readily usable by children as to toy item.

A further object is to provide a marking or coloring 3,459,483 PatentedAug. 5, 1969 instrument having an improved arrangement for remoisteningthe tip when it becomes dried out or dehydrated.

A still further object is to provide a marking device having a coloringtip projecting through one end, which can be readily used after the tiphas become dried due to exposure to the atmosphere, by introducing afluid medium into the opposite end of the device.

Another object is to provide a set of coloring instruments of differenthues, which can be stored in an appropriate holder when not in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma consideration of the following specification and drawings. Beforeproceeding with a detailed description of the invention however, a briefdescription of it will be presented.

Briefly, the marking device includes an elongated tubular barrel havingopenings in both ends. An elongated wick or nib, formed of a compressedsponge material, is positioned within the barrel so that one of its endsprojects through the opening in a first end of the barrel, therebyforming a tip. An elongated wedge-shaped plug is press fit within thesecond end of the barrel, and it forms a pair of tapered passages withthe inner surface of the barrel. The wick is saturated with a watersoluble dye solution of a desired color so that the entire wick iscolored. When saturated with the dye solution, the sponge wick expandsso that it at least partially fills the barrel and the opening in thefirst end of the barrel. As long as the wick is moist, it remainsrelatively soft and pliable and it can be used for marking or coloringpurposes. If the wick becomes dry and hard, it can readily be made tomark or color by submerging or dipping the second end of the barrel inwater, thus moistening or hydrating the sponge nib. The wedge-shapedplug induces water to remain in the barrel which is admitted through thetapered passages, the water which contacts the sponge wick flows towardthe tip end by absorption and capillary action. By moistening the tipwith water in this manner, the dye leaches out of the wick onto awriting or coloring surface against which the tip of the wick ispressed.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the followingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, in partial section, of a set ofmarking or coloring devices constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components ofthe marking device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view in partial section of the marking deviceprior to saturating a sponge wick with a fluid medium;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view in partial section of the marking deviceafter the wick has been saturated with a fluid medium;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line -99 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 1 illustrates a marking or coloring device 10 stored in a holdingdevice 12. The marking device includes an elongated tubular barrel 14having first and second ends 16 and 18 respectively. As depicted in FIG.

2, the end 16 is provided with a slit-like opening 20, while the end 18is open. A pair of spaced apart projections or nib holders 22 and 24form an integral part of the barrel end 16, and they are positioned onthe barrel so that they project axially away from the barrel end. Thespace between the nib holders 22 and 24 is substantially the same as thethickness of the slit 20.

An elongated wick or nib 26 is positioned within the barrel 12 in such amanner that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinal axisof the barrel, and one of its ends projects out of the barrel throughthe opening 20 in the barrel end, thereby forming a tip 28. The wick ispreferably formed of a compressed cellulose sponge material which is cutinto strips of predetermined length and width, and the strip is formedso that it has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the wick has a top surface 30, a bottom surface 32, sidesurfaces 34 and 36, and ends 38 and 40. The top and bottom surfaces aresomewhat larger than the side surfaces when the sponge is compressed.The sponge material is compressed in any suitable manner, for exampleduring production, so that it will expand in not more than twodirections, i.e., opposite directions. As shown in FIG. 2, the sponge iscompressed so that its height or thickness 11 is reduced relative to itsinitial or expanded thickness. When the sponge material is caused toexpand, such expanision occurs in not more than two directions, i.e.,the height or thickness It increases, but its length l and width wremain substantially unchanged. While a cellulose sponge material ispreferred because it can readily be compressed and expanded, other typesof material, such as felt, might be used as well.

An elongated wedge-shaped plug 42 is press fit within the opening in theend 18 of the barrel 14, so that its longitudinal axis is parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the barrel. The plug has a first end 44, asecond end 46, side surfaces 48 and 50, and top and bottom surfaces 52and 54 respectively. The first end 44 of the plug is wider or thickerthan the second end 46; as a result, the plug varies in width W from amaximum at the first end to a minimum at the second end; and the sides48 and 50 converge toward the second end. The height H and length L ofthe plug are substantially the same at all points. The top and bottomsurfaces 52 and 54 respectively, are slightly curved, so that they fitwithin the barrel end, and the cross-sectional shape of the plug issomewhat rectangular, with one dimension H being greater than the otherdimension W. The plug is inserted within the end 18 of the barrel sothat its greater cross-sectional dimension H is normal to thelongitudinal axis of the slit-like opening 20. By inserting thewedgeshaped plug 42 within the barrel, a pair of tapered passages 56 and58 (note FIG. 8) are formed between the side surfaces 48 and 50, and theinner surface of the barrel.

As shown in FIG. 6, the width of the wick or nib 26 is somewhat lessthan the longest dimension of the slit 20, and its thickness is somewhatless than the thickness or height of the slit. Thus, the wick can easilybe inserted into the barrel by sliding it through the opening 20, untilit abuts against the plug 42. As shown in FIG. 3, the compressed wick 26and the plug 42.are positioned so that they are substantiallyperpendicular to each other.

After the wick or nib 26 has been positioned within the barrel 14, it issaturated with a dye solution by dipping the tip 28 into an appropriatedye source. The liquid dye flows toward the opposite end of the wick byabsorption and capillary action, and as it does, it causes thecompressed sponge material to expand in a direction normal to its width,thereby increasing its relative thickness or height. FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate the condition of the wick 26 within the barrel 14 after t epo g mate ia has e pa d d Th edg s a 62 of the slit-like opening 20 gripthe wick along its top and bottom surfaces 30 and 32 respectively,thereby retaining it in a desired position within the barrel. The nibholders 22 and 24 likewise grip the nib 26 and prevent a portion of itfrom expanding to any great extent; moreover, they aid in supporting thetip 28 when pressure is exerted against it when it is used for markingor coloring purposes.

Since the wick or nib 26 expands in a direction normal to its width, itpartially fills the interior of the barrel, inthis regard note FIG. 10.As illustrated, the wick expands so that the top and bottom surfaces 30and 32 respectively, press against the interior of the barrel. Sincethere is very little, if any, expansion of the wick in a directionparallel to its width, a pair of air gaps or vents 64 and 66 are formedalong the sides of the nib. The air gaps extend the entire length of thebarrel and are aligned with the ends of the slit-like opening 20 and thetapered passages 56 and 58, so that continuous passages are formed whichextend from one end of the barrel to the other.

Different types of dye solutions can be used for saturating the wick. Iffor example, the device is to be used by children as a coloringimplement, it might be preferred to saturate the wick with aconcentrated water soluble dye. Numerous dyes of this type arecommercially available and can be used with excellent results. As anexample, dye powders are commercially available in many different hues.A concentrated dye solution can be made by mixing a quantity of thepowder with a prescribed amount of water. Moreover, two or moredifferent powders might be combined to produce dyes of different hues.

A flange 70 forms an integral part of the barrel proximate its end 16.The flange serves a number of purposes; it provides an abutment againstwhich the users fingers can rest without coming in contact with the tipof the nib; it provides a support so that the device can be laid on itsside on a flat surface without having the tip 28 contact the surface; itprovides an abutment or stop for limiting its penetration into a holder;and the like.

The holder 12 is provided with a plurality of receptacles 72 for storingtwo or more marking devices 10. Each receptacle has a cross-sectionalshape which is substantially the same as that of the barrel 14 of themarking device, and it has sufficient depth so that the device can beinserted thereinto without having the tip 28 of the nib contact thebottom. As shown in FIGURE 1, the flange 70 limits the penetration ofthe marking device into the receptacle.

A holder of this type provides a convenient way of storing a set ofcoloring devices, each device producing a mark of a different color.This is particularly advantageous and desirable if the coloring set isto be used by children for coloring or painting purposes. By positioningeach individual coloring device in a receptacle during periods ofnonuse, the wick will retain its moistness for a longer period of timethan if its tip is exposed to the atmosphere. As shown, the flange 70 ineffect, also serves as a lid which covers the receptacle 72.

To assemble the marking device, the compressed wick or nib 26 isinserted into the barrel through the opening 20 in such a manner thatthe tip 28 remains outside the barrel. Since the wick has across-sectional shape which is slightly smaller than the cross-sectionalshape of the opening 20, it will slide out of the barrel if the barrelis vertically oriented or inclined with the tip down. By moistening thetip 28 with a small amount of moisture, the tip will expand so that thenib holders 22 and 24 and the edges 60 and 62 of the opening 20 grip thenib and retain it in position within the barrel. The device is thenplaced in a dye containing receptacle so that the barrel is verticallyoriented and the tip is submerged in the dye solution. The dye flowsfrom the tip 28 toward the opposite end of the wick by absorption andcapillary action so that it completely saturates the wick, thus causingit to expand as explained hereinbefore. The device is now ready for use.

If the device is used immediately, it will mark or color a surfaceagainst which the tip 28 is contacted or pressed. If on the other hand,the tip 28 is exposed to the atmosphere for a period of time, the wickwill dry out or dehydrate and the device will not color or mark. Bysubmerging or dipping the end opposite the tip end of the barrel 14 intoa water containing receptacle a sufficient distance, the "wick iscontacted by the water and moistened, and the wedge-shaped plug 42retains, or induces the moisture to remain in the barrel, i.e., thetapered passages 56 and 58. Once the moisture contacts the sponge, itflows toward the opposite end of the barrel, i.e., the tip 28, byabsorption and capillary action, thus remoistening or hydrating the niband causing it to again color or mark as intended. The device can beused in this manner until all of the dye concentration has been leachedout of the wick. If preferred, the barrel might be formed of atransparent plastic material so that the saturated wick is visible. Bydipping the end opposite the tip end into the receptacle, the samereceptacle can be used for a number of difierent color producing deviceswithout leaching color out of each device into the water in thereceptacle. The continuous passages, including the air passages 64 and66, aid in the flow of the dye solution toward the end 18 by absorptionand capillary action, as well as the flow of water in the oppositedirection, by preventing a pocket of air from building up in the barrel.

In the above description and attached drawings, a disclosure of theprinciples of this invention is presented, together with some of theembodiments by which the invention may be carried out.

Now therefore, I claim;

1. A marking device comprising an elongated tubular barrel havingopenings in both ends, an elongated wick formed of absorbent capillarymaterial positioned within said barrel so that one of its ends projectsthrough the opening in a first end of said barrel thereby forming a tip,the other end of said wick terminating within said barrel proximate itsother end, said wick being saturated with a dye solution, gripping meansfor preventing said wick from moving with respect to the barrel, andmeans within said barrel proximate its other end and adjacent to saidwick for inducing a fluid medium admitted thereinto to remain in thebarrel so that it flows toward the first end of said barrel when itcontacts the wick.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said wick is saturated with awater soluble dye solution, said dye saturated wick when dried beinghydrated by moistening it with water, and the other end of said wickabuts against the inducing means.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first end of the barrel has aslit-like opening which is smaller in thickness than the thickness ofthe wick when expanded, the edges of said slit gripping the wick andmaintaining it in a predetermined position within the barrel.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein at least one passage is providedin the slit-like opening with the expanded wick positioned therein.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the wick expands in such a mannerthat at least one air gap is formed between the wick and the innersurface of the barrel,

said gap extending from one end of the barrel to the other end.

6. The combination of claim 2 wherein the means for inducing the fluidmedium to remain in the barrel includes an elongated wedge-shaped plughaving a first end which is wider than a second end so that the width ofsaid plug varies from a maximum at said first end to a minimum at saidsecond end, the height of said plug being substantially the same as theinner dimension of the barrel, said plug being positioned within thebarrel so that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the longitudinalaxis of said barrel, and a pair of tapered passages are formed by theplug and the inner surface of the barrel.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the first end of the barrel isprovided with a slit-like opening, the plug has a somewhat rectangularcross-sectional shape with one dimension being greater than the other,said plug being oriented within said barrel so that its greatercrosssectional dimension is substantially normal to the longitudinalaxis of the slit.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein at least one air gap is providedwithin the barrel which extends the length of said barrel, said gapbeing in alignment with one end of the slit and one of the taperedpassages.

9. The combination of claim 2 wherein a flange is provided on the outerperiphery of the 'barrel, said flange being spaced from the first end ofthe barrel a predetermined distance.

10. In combination, a marking device and holding means for storing saidmarking device, said marking de vice including an elongated tubularbarrel provided with openings in both ends, an elongated wick formed ofabsorbent capillary material positioned within said barrel so that oneof its ends projects through the opening in a first end of the barrelthereby forming a tip, said wick being saturated with a dye solution, anelongated wedgeshaped plug within the barrel proximate the secondopening for inducing a fluid medium admitted thereinto to remain in thebarrel so that it flows toward the first end of the barrel when itcontacts the wick, said holding means including at least two separatereceptacles for storing more than one marking device, thecross-sectional shape of said receptacles being slightly larger than thecrosssectional shape of the barrel so that said end of the barrel can beinserted therein so that the tip of the wick is positioned within saidreceptacle without contacting the inner surface of said receptacle, andmeans are provided on the barrel for limiting the penetration of themarking device into the receptacle, and effectively covering thereceptacle when inserted therein, said limiting means including a flangemounted on the periphery of the barrel which is spaced a predetermineddistance from said barrel end, the distance from the tip of the wick tosaid flange being less than the depth of the receptacle in the holdingmeans.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,107,424 2/1938 Platt 401-1312,517,283 8/1950 Bryant 401-198 LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner US.Cl. X.R.

